Sunday Gospel Reflection
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mark 1:40-45
The Cleansing of a Leper
Josie Gonzalez
“A leper came to him and begged, ‘If you wish, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity…he said…’be made clean.’ The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter…It was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere. (Mk 1:40-41, 45)
Paggising natin sa umaga, ang Diyos ang bida…pagtulog sa gabi, ang Diyos ang kasama.
Nagagalak ba tayo sa Panginoon paggising natin sa umaga? Ang araw ba natin hanggang sa pagtulog, ay nakatuon sa paglilingkod sa Diyos? Paano ba natin isinasabuhay ang kasalukuyan?
Do we know that the desire of God is also the desire of our heart? Psalm 37:4 tells us, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
As we hear Mass today, let us remember that the Lord loves us beyond words, beyond deeds. He gave us this vast magical universe to live in and enjoy that we may also love Him beyond words, beyond deeds.
In the Gospel today, the Lord teaches us that love has no bounds, no conditions. It does not restrain itself or hold back as shown in the cleansing of the leper.
In Biblical times, a leper was treated as an outcast. Suffering from skin disease, they were forbidden to have any contact with people who did not have the disease. Worse, they had to ring a bell and shout “unclean” if anyone approached them.
Unmindful of what was customary then, Christ Jesusm “Moved with pity…stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, ‘I do will it. Be made clean.’ ” (Mk 1:41)
This was the Divine Healer’s reaction to the leper’s cry, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” (Mk 1:40)
Sa ebanghelyong ito, ipinapakita ang katapatan ni Hesukristo sa taong nananalig sa kanya, sa taong nagbibigay ng papuri at pasasalamat sa Poong Maykapal.
Tulad ba tayo ng ketongin na pinagaling niya? Nasa puso ba natin ang Panginoon sa katiwasayan at kaginhawaan ng buhay? O ngayon lamang na mayroong pandemya?
Ang COVID-19 pandemic ay isang malaking hamon sa atin. Hamon para makagawa ng kabutihan sa kapwa, makatulong sa mas nakararaming naghihirap sa buhay, pinansyal man o dala ng gutom sa kawalan ng trabaho.
Lumabas tayo sa ating makasariling mundo at maglingkod sa iba. Saan ba tayo tinatawag ng Diyos para sa misyong kailangan natin gampanan? Tapat ba tayo sa paglingkod sa Diyos?
Let’s ask the Lord for the grace of discernment so we may find Him where we can experience inner peace and inner joy. Let’s find time to talk to Him as we look at the skies and clouds, smell the flowers, and appreciate the little things.
A quiet place conducive to meditation and reflection helps us to encounter the Lord. That encounter happens when we feel our heartbeat with overflowing joy, a smile on our face, no cares and no worries.
I have my own quiet place where I spend most of my day. My garden is my happy place. It is my way of praising and worshiping the Lord as the plants grow and bloom. It is a great moment to enjoy the birds chirping, a bee or two and butterflies hovering around. Yes, Lord, it is so great to feel You and be with You every day!
Let’s be up and about breathing in love, peace and joy. Exhale all irritants and material things that distract us from our spiritual mission…inhale beauty. Exhale the “smog” that blinds us from a deep internal relationship with God.
To God be the glory! A blessed Sunday!
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Artwork:
The Healing of the Leper by Harold Copping
